Preparing for suicide attack, suspected radical sent to judicial custody

Suspected radical Mohammed Salauddin, arrested by Uttarakhand Special Task Force (STF) from the state’s Udham Singh Nagar district on Thursday was sent to judicial custody on Friday by the court. According to STF preliminary investigation revealed that he was preparing himself for a suicide attack and had sent several videos of his physical fitness to his handlers in India and outside.

STF officials in Dehradun said that Salauddin frequently made his own fitness videos of himself while running, doing push-ups and engaging in other physical activities to send to his handlers in India and abroad. Officials said he was in contact with suspected terrorists through encrypted platforms like Telegram and Signal. In his social media chats, he would describe himself as ‘fit for any task’.

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STF SSP Ajai Singh informed the media in Dehradun that Salauddin confided in that he was hurt and unhappy by the demolition of illegal mosques and mazars in different parts of Uttarakhand and the country. Singh shared that Salauddin’s mental status was probably influenced by the radical elements who controlled him through social media. Slowly he took to activities associated with anti-national and jihadi contents in several online groups.
Ajai Singh said Salauddin was also trying to influence other youths through social media platforms. “Legal action was taken against him after materials pertaining to jihad, martyrdom and radical ideology was found in his mobile phone in the probe. Agencies are currently investigating his contacts, online networks and potential outside links. A forensic examination of his mobile phone and other digital evidence is also being conducted, based on which further action will be taken” said Singh.

SSP STF stated that probe is also going on as Mohammad Salauddin’s involvement in a conspiracy to execute a major blast with the help of a man identified as Zubair from Telangana. Zubair had provided him four detonators besides financial assistance.
STF officials informed that Mohammad Salauddin also attempted to rope in a Rampur based youth Ataullah Samir into his jihadi net. SSP STF a special team of the STF conducted a raid in Rampur Uttar Pradesh and brought Sameer to Dehradun for questioning. He was interrogated at Dehradun STF office by various security agencies and intelligence units. Currently he is under STF watch.